There was a 2-point loss to Bellarmine in overtime. There was a close loss to Serra after having fought from 17 points down to cut the lead to 1-point late in the game. There was the reality of having to play the entire league season thus far without one of the team's starters. All these frustrations found a release on Tuesday night, as the boys basketball team notched its first win in WCAL play this year, beating visiting St. Francis 63-57. "We needed this one . . . we needed it big time," said senior Mike Lampkin. With valuable contributions from many members of the team, the Warriors were able to fight back from deficits as large as 11 points to overtake the Lancers in the 4th quarter.

Sophomore point guard Kyle Freeman-Bailey had the best game of his young career for the Warriors, racking up 23 points and proving unstoppable on his drives into the lane versus the Lancer defense. "We need people to step up for us to compete and win games," said Freeman-Bailey, "and tonight happened to be my night to do that by scoring." Junior Eric Bates tallied 12 points, 11 of which came in the 4th quarter by finishing lay ups as VC broke St. Francis' full-court press.

Trailing by 6 at halftime, the Warriors found themselves in an 11-point hole midway through the 3rd quarter. Freeman-Bailey and fellow sophomore guard Tim Harris executed a back door play that finished in a Harris slam dunk, and the team gained momentum. Freshman Kyle Travis helped extend the comeback by hitting two 3-pointers in the period, and going into the final quarter, the Warriors had tied the score.

In the 4th, VC built a 10-point lead with just under 3 minutes to play. St. Francis began fouling to force the Warriors to win the game at the free throw line, and despite missing 7 free throws in the quarter, the home team gathered in enough rebounds and made a few charity shots when it really counted to hold on for the win. "A win like this gives us an energy boost, and hopefully we can continue to work hard in practice if we want more opportunities like this," said assistant coach, Dan Meester. The Warriors have 2 days to prepare for tall and talented St. Ignatius, as they will travel to San Francisco to take on the Wildcats Friday evening.

 Box Score